FIDDLER Richard Wood will launch the new Where Good Music Matters Season at the Park and Dare Theatre in Treorchy next month.

Back in the spotlight after a break of more than 10 years, Wood is arguably one of the most entertaining and talented fiddlers from the Celtic world.

And despite his absence from the music scene, critics say he has lost none of his fire and zip in the intervening years.

Accompanied on guitar, bodhran and vocals by Gordon Belsher, the performance combines the best of jigs, reels and strathspeys with Wood’s own compositions.

For more than two decades, Wood has impressed audiences in his native Canada, as well as in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Highlights include TV guest appearances with Shania Twain on David Letterman and Good Morning America and playing at New York’s Carnegie Hall with Irish legends The Chieftains.

Those attending Wood’s latest performance will get to hear music from the new album he’s promoting, A Change in Reasons.

His gig is the first in the Where Good Music Matters Season, taking place at venues in the South Wales Valleys in the coming weeks and featuring a stellar line-up.

Following in his footsteps will be multi award-winning powerhouse Little Miss Higgins, who will also be taking to the stage of the Parc and Dare on March 31.

Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom is entertaining audiences at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd on April 7 and audiences will then be introduced to all-female feisty folk sextet, The Shee, also at the Muni on April 14.

Bristol-born, and now Wales-based, singer-songwriter Amy Wadge will be joined by guest Pete Riley when she appears at the Pontypridd venue on April 21.

The season has now become a regular fixture on the music calendar in South Wales.

Richard Wood is at the Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy, on February 3 at 8pm. Tickets, priced at £8.50, are available from the booking and information line on 08000 147 111 or online at www.rct-arts.co.uk